Okay so I like hyperbole as much as the next person. But I will literally lose my mind if I hear someone use the word literally in a ridiculous context again. I decided to have a small little note about it. Mostly just by posting the definition and going, "See? I told you so!" If I'm wrong... I'll literally eat my hat!
So here it is (thank you dictionary.com):
lit·er·al·ly [lit-er-uh-lee] - adverb
1. in the literal or strict sense
2. in a literal manner; word for word
3. actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy
4. in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually
So sure. Am I literally going back to Seattle in 5 weeks? Yes. Am I literally 5'11"? Sure. Did I literally stay up until 4 o'clock in the morning on Thursday night? Well, yeah. Am I literally going to lose my mind of someone else uses literally wrong? Um.. Probably not.
What I found was interesting was underneath the definition was this caveat: Usage note: The use is often criticized; nevertheless, it appears in all but the most carefully edited writing. Although this use of literally irritates some, it probably neither distorts nor enhances the intended meaning of the sentences in which it occurs. The same might often be said of the use of literally in its earlier sense “actually”
So.... Wait. Has the dictionary foresaken me? It gave me the proper meaning but then.. It said it didn't even matter. *sniff* But--I--but--but... Waaaahhhh!! I literally can't handle this!!!!! I just might literally eat my hat now. Literally!!!
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